Yu-Dong Zhou
Research Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Phone Number: (662)915-2215
Email: ydzhou@olemiss.edu

Key Words: discovery and characterization of small molecule natural products that regulate hypoxia signaling in mammalian cells

Research Description: The focus of Dr. Zhou's research is the discovery and characterization of small molecule natural products that regulate hypoxia signaling in mammalian cells. Hypoxia (decrease in oxygen tension) occurs under a number of pathological conditions and can affect a variety of organs that range from the brain to the heart. Our current research is to discover and characterize small molecule natural product regulators of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), transcription factors that regulate cellular adaptation and survival under hypoxic conditions. The three major components of our research are: 1) cell-based screening of natural product-rich extracts and pure compounds for regulators of HIF activities; 2) molecular characterization of natural product-based HIF regulators, identified through bioassay-guided isolation and structure elucidation; 3) investigation of cellular oxygen sensing and hypoxia signaling, employing natural products as molecular probes. Using this natural product chemistry-based approach, we have discovered an array of small molecule natural products that regulate HIF activities. Current projects are aimed at the molecular investigation of these natural products. This research employs a combination of biochemical, cell biological, and molecular biological methods. Funding for our research is provided by NIH/NCI, NOAA, and the DOD.

Honors Theses:

Treadwell, Scout (2020) The Effects of Alpha-Tocopherol and Ascorbic Acid on Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells (full text)

Gordon Jr., Kyle Ford (2020) Cell Proliferation and Viability Inhibition by Resveratrol on Breast Cancer Cell Lines (full text)

Carson, Hannah Lynn (2020) The Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Largazole: A Potential Chemotherapeutic Agent (full text)

McCowan, Hannah (2020) The Effects of Largazole, a Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, on Breast Cancer Cell Viability and Metastasis (full text)

Dolsen, Joshua D. (2019) O-GlcNAcylation of HIF-1α Protein in Human Breast Cancer Cells (full text)

Hillhouse, Sarah A. (2019) Effects of Kanglaite, An Anticancer Herbal Medicine, on Breast Cancer Cell Metabolism (full text)

Sheffield, Dalton (2019) Assessing the Effects of Antioxidants on Oxidative Stress in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells via Protein Carbonylation (full text)

Sistrunk, William E. (2019) Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors and Breast Cancer Metastasis: A Review and Exploration of HDAC(i)s and Other Chemotherapeutic Agents (full text)

Stewart, Mary Grace (2019) The Effect of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors on Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells in Conjunction with Clinically Relevant Chemotherapeutic Agents (full text)

Grisham, Hailey Elisabeth (2018) O-GLCNAC Post Translational Modification of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF) Proteins (full text)

Thrasher, Jacob (2018) Targeting Metastatic Breast Cancer with Statin Drugs and CoQ10 (full text)

Williamson, Sean (2018) Post-Translational Modification of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Proteins by O-Linked -N-Acetylglucosamine in Breast Cancer Cells (full text)

Le, Thuy Phuong T. (2017) Psammaplins Selectively Target Triple-Negative Metastatic Breast Tumor Cells that are Genetically Programmed to Colonize Specific Organs. (full text)